DUNNELLON, FL (352today.com) – At Swampy’s Bar & Grill the sound of live music mingles with the gentle splash of paddles on the Rainbow River. Locals and visitors alike come for the laid-back atmosphere, hearty food and the chance to watch wildlife drift by from one of the best waterfront views in Marion County.
General Manager, Erin Peil, knows the magic of Swampy’s well. After moving to Florida in 2014, she said she drove past the restaurant one day, felt drawn to it and decided she wanted to work there. After climbing up the corporate ladder, she took over as general manager and has been helping grow the popular Dunnellon spot ever since.
“It’s a little more casual, laid-back kind of restaurant,” Peil said. “We do have Cajun, New Orleans-style food, but also your basic American meals like burgers and Philly cheesesteaks. It’s all about that outdoor atmosphere and relaxed vibe. Sometimes we have a single person playing music here… And you can sit back and watch wildlife or people float by on boats or tubes.”
The restaurant sits right along the water, and features a dock that visitors can use to tie up and grab a meal. During the summer months, Peil said, it’s packed with kayakers, tubers and tourists. But as the weather cools, regulars return for a quieter, more personal experience.
“I have met so many different types of people,” she said. “I’m not from Florida, but I’ve learned the culture down here a little bit more–people call it being on ‘Florida Time.’ It’s a little more like a vacation kind of spot. We also have a lot of repeat visitors who come back each year, and they spend time with their families.”
Swampy’s has also become more community-focused under Peil’s leadership. The restaurant hosts local events like Trunk-R-Treat during Halloween and other family-friendly gatherings throughout the year. Most events are promoted through Facebook, along with in-house posters and flyers…